Background:

Today, Commissioners held a call to discuss and hear public input on aligning the state waters red snapper season with a possible expanded federal waters season for private recreational anglers. Commissioners expressed general support for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Executive Director Nick Wiley to continue to negotiate with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the four other Gulf states for a longer federal red snapper season that would provide as many sustainable fishing opportunities as possible.

The current federal red snapper season for private recreational anglers in Florida federal waters was June 1-3.

The current red snapper season in state waters is 78 days in total and is:

Saturdays and Sundays starting May 6.

Daily opening May 27 through July 9.

Reopening Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, and on Labor Day.

Recent discussions between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Gulf states indicate that there may be a way to add a substantial number of additional red snapper fishing days in federal waters this summer of 2017, but Florida would have to give days to get days.

Gulf states, including Florida, will be required to align open days for fishing state waters with days that would be open for fishing in federal waters.

The FWC held a special meeting by electronic media technology at 2 p.m. EDT Friday, June 9, to discuss the Gulf red snapper season for private recreational anglers in state and federal waters.

These changes would apply only to recreational anglers fishing from private vessels. No changes to the commercial or recreational for-hire seasons were considered.

FWC Facts:Whenever water skiing or using any other aquaplaning device, you must wear an approved noninflatable Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device (PFD).

Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2017 Agency Regulatory Plan.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.